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Home Office to scrap 101 phone charges

The Home Secretary has announced that 101 non-emergency calls will be free to the public as of April 2020.

May 29, 2019

By Serena Lander

Home Secretary Sajid Javid

Non-emergency calls to the police currently cost 15 pence no matter how long they last. The service was launched in 2011 to allow the public to contact police forces when an emergency response is not required, such as in the event of a car theft.

Sajid Javid, the Home Secretary, has announced that the charges will be scrapped through a £5 million investment from the Home Office.

The Home Secretary Sajid Javid said: “It’s vital members of the public have confidence in the police and are able to report any non-emergency incidents in a convenient and accessible way.

“Scrapping the charge for making a 101 call will benefit millions of people every year – especially the vulnerable.”

He said the Home Office is continuing to work with the police to develop a new standardised website, the Single Online Home, which is expected to take some demand away from the telephone service by providing some services without needing to speak to a member of staff or police officer, including the option to report crime online.

Victims Commissioner, Baroness Newlove, tweeted: “Great news. No one should have to pay to report a crime. We need the public to report crimes. Making this service free is step in right direction. @PoliceChiefs & @ukhomeoffice must now focus on improving speed & quality of responses giving public confidence in this frontline service.”